[frit.ter] n [ME fritour, fr. MF friture, fr. (assumed) VL frictura, fr. L frictus, pp. of frigere to roast] (14c): a small mass of fried or sauteed batter often containing fruit or meat
[2]fritter vb [fritter, n. (fragment, shred)] vt (1728) 1: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return--usu. used with away
2: to break into small fragments ~ vi: dissipate, dwindle -- frit.ter.er n